Key Highlights:
- Trump says the India trade deal is still not finalised.
- India’s tariffs among the highest, according to Trump.
- Next round of talks scheduled in India on August 25.
US President Donald Trump has said that the much-anticipated trade deal between the United States and India has not been finalised. While speaking to reporters on Air Force One during his return to Washington from Scotland, Trump was asked directly whether the trade deal with India was done. “No, it’s not,” he replied.
India’s Tariffs Are Too High, Says Trump
Trump explained his concerns, saying that India has been charging high tariffs on American products for many years. “India has charged basically more tariffs than almost any other country,” he said. Trump added that things are different now under his leadership. “But now I’m in charge, and you just can’t do that.”
He also hinted that the US might raise tariffs on Indian goods between 20 to 25 per cent. When asked if such reports were true, Trump said, “I think so.”
Modi is a Friend, But Talks Must Continue
Despite trade disagreements, Trump called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “a friend.” He also repeated his earlier claim that he helped stop conflict between India and Pakistan through trade negotiations. “They ended the war with Pakistan at my request, and that was great,” he said, also mentioning past settlements involving Cambodia.
Next Round of Trade Talks in August
According to officials in New Delhi, a US delegation is set to visit India on August 25 for the next round of trade negotiations. This comes after the fifth round of talks was recently held in Washington.
Both countries are still trying to agree on an interim trade deal before August 1, which is the end of the current suspension on additional US tariffs. These tariffs were originally announced by Trump on April 2, affecting several countries including India. While the US planned to impose tariffs as high as 26 per cent, the move was paused for 90 days and extended again until August 1.
Hope for a Fair Deal
President Trump ended by saying, “I think the trade deals are working out very well, hopefully for everybody, but for the United States, they’re very, very good.” Talks between the two sides are ongoing, and both are working to settle key issues before the deadline.
(With PTI Inputs)
